Downtown Tango: Guitar Chords
By Rick Hirsch
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PC-0017478_GC
$3.00
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Description
"Downtown Tango" by Rick Hirsch is a soulful tango for sure! A very effective chart with an auxiliary percussion part with castanets for authentic tango flavor. Features include a modest tempo of 104 BPM, lead trumpet range to written G, brief written solos for alto, tenor, trumpet, and trombone. A big shout chorus completes the package. (4:24) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Downtown Tango: Guitar Chords comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
102
SKU:
00-PC-0017478_GC
More about this title
About the Composer: Rick Hirsch
Rick Hirsch studied composition and arranging at UMass-Amherst and Northern Illinois University, then launched his professional career as a music copyist for jazz luminaries Bob Mintzer and Toshiko Akiyoshi. His compositional voice has attracted commissions from celebrated jazz musicians including Yusef Lateef and Eddie Henderson, as well as ensembles ranging from the Capitol Quartet to Penn State's Blue Band.
Beyond his composing and arranging work, Hirsch has shaped young musicians as a guest conductor for All-State and District Jazz Bands and taught at Penn State University. He continues to lead his own ensemble, Rick Hirsch's BIG OL' BAND, whose 2017 debut album Pocono Git-Down highlights the creative energy of jazz communities outside major metropolitan centers.
Why we love this
Hirsch crafts a tango that respects the genre's essential character while remaining accessible to developing jazz ensembles. The inclusion of castanet-driven auxiliary percussion and individual solos for multiple voices gives your players room to shine without overwhelming them, and the authentic Latin feel transforms what could be a routine chart into a genuine style study.
What to expect
Downtown Tango carries a sophisticated yet approachable spirit. The soulful melody sits comfortably over a steady tango groove, and the castanet accompaniment conjures the intimate clubs and close-quarters dancing of the form's origins. By the shout chorus, the whole ensemble moves as one, energetic and unified.
Who it's for
This score works for jazz ensembles at the intermediate level who have a solid grasp of ensemble balance and basic jazz language but are still building confidence with Latin feels. It's equally suited for contest preparation and concert programming where you want to showcase both ensemble cohesion and individual musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the tempo locked at 104 BPM; the modest tempo allows the rhythm section to establish the tango's characteristic pulse without rushing, and it gives soloists time to breathe into their lines.
- Balance the castanet part carefully so it colors rather than dominates the texture. The auxiliary percussionist should listen to the ensemble's groove and layer the rhythm accordingly.
- Work the shout chorus as a single unit. Block out the ensemble voicings so that the full section lands together and creates the propulsive energy the chart demands at its climax.
- Encourage soloists to lean into the tango's rhythmic syncopation rather than playing straight. The brief solos (alto, tenor, trumpet, trombone) are opportunities to teach jazz phrasing within a Latin context.
How to use it
Pair this chart with other Latin-flavored pieces to create a thematic set, or program it as a contrasting centerpiece between more uptempo swing tunes. Its moderate difficulty and strong musicality also make it a smart choice for early-season festivals or adjudicated events where you want to build your group's confidence with authentic styles.
Skills your students will build
- Tango rhythmic figures and syncopation (both ensemble and solo)
- Latin percussion integration and listening across ensemble sections
- Jazz soloing within a structured Latin form
- Ensemble balance and blend in a mid-tempo groove
- Authentic feel and style interpretation in Latin jazz